Switch operator



March 7, 1933. J. c. REA

SWITCH OPERATOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 5, 1928 W- A TTORNE YS.

FIElw INVENTOR.

By afa mes C. Pea

March 7; 1933. J. c. REA

SWITCH OPERATOR Filed Jan. 3, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR: RyJ'amesC. 792a,

ATTORNEYS.

March 7, 1933. J. c. REA

SWITCH OPERATOR Fild Jan. 3, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 o W a wag 5 v 4 W w wH PAP/WP: M a. MW

. Wm w N WF W Z w 4/ w a f March 7, 1933.

J. C. REA

swmcn OPERATOR 6 Sheets-Sheet Filed Jan. 5, 1928 IN VEN TOR James C. Pea

A TTORNE YS.

March 7, 1933.

. J. C. REA

SWITCH OPERATOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 3, 1928 F 15.1 El- INVENTOR.

MWK

A TTORNE YS.

March 7, 1933. J. Q REA 1,900,584

SWITCH OPERATOR Filed Jan. 3, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 A TTORNE Y SFatented Mar. 7, 1933 l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application filedJanuary 3, 1928. Serial No. 244,129.

This invention relates generally to appear from the followingdescription in which paratus for effecting operations of electr cal Ihave set forth the preferred embodiment switches. It is particularlyapplicable to of my invention. It is to be understood'that systems forthe remote control of large transthe appended claims are to be accordeda i i li it h- Y range of equivalents consistent with the state 55 .Itis an object of this invention to simplify of the prior art. theconstruction of switch operators sothat Referring to the drawings: theycan be more readily manufactured and Figure 1 is a side elevational viewin cross will be more reliable in operation. section illustrating themechanism constitut- 10 t is a further ob ect of thls invention to mgthe switch operator of this invention.

improveupon the constructlon of switch p- F 1g. 2 1s a cross sectionalelevational View erators ofthe general type disclosed in the of themechanism as shown in Figure 1, as patent to Wilkins et al. No.1,612,483 issued viewed from the left side of Fig. 1. December 28th,1926. The operator dis- Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken alongclosed in that patent utilizes spring means the ]ine.3-3 of Fig.1. 65adapted to be placed in stressed condition Fig. 4 is a cross sectionalview taken along by a resetting device such as a motor. The the line 4l4of Fig. 1. v spring means is retained in stressed condition Fig. 5 is adetail view illustrating the conby a pair of mechanisms, and responsiveto struction and mode of operation of the mechsuccessive tripping ofthese mechanisms,two anism for controlling the switch for the re 76'different switching operations may be persetting motor. formed. At theend of the second operation, Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 5illustratthe motor may be manually or automatically ing the mechanism ofFig. 5 in a different energized to restore the spring means to operatingposition.

stressed condition and to reset the mecha- Fig. 'l'is a detailillustrating the single nisms. While the disclosure in the Wilkinsspring which is stressed by the resetting patent is the practicalembodiment of generic motor. invention, the particular structureemployed Fig. 8 is a cross sectional detail illustrat-' iscomparativelycomplicated and expensive ingthe drive connection betweenthe reset- "to 'manufacture. In this invention I have ting motor and theresetting crank. 80

provided'an apparatus capable of being used Fig. 9 is a cross sectionalview taken along in the system of Wilkins, but I have matethe line 9-9of Fig. 8. v rially simplified the mechanical details. Fig. 10 is a sideelevationalview partly For example I have utilized only a single incross section, illustrating a standard form spring which must bepla'cedin stressed conof electrical switch being controlled by an dition by themotor, in place of two'springs operator constructed in accordance withthis employed by WVilkins et al., although the invention.

apparatus still completes two switching op- F ig=11 is a cross sectionalview taken along erations before a winding operation is rethe line 1111of Fig. 10. 'q ir d; Figs. 12, 13, 1 1 and 15 are details illus- 93 Itis a further object offthis invention to trating the mode of operationof the opgenerally improve upon the resetting Inechaerators. nism of aswitch operator of the general type Fig. 16 is a circuit diagramillustrating shown in the lVilkinsPatent 1,612,483. the manner in whichthe operator is com- It is a further object of this invention to binedwith an electrical switch for automatdevise a switch operator which maybe ic operation. readily combined with'a high tension switch Theinvention may be outlined briefly as of the oil immersed type to form arelatively comprising a pair ofmechanisms, preferably compact switchingunit. in the form of toggles, which are adapted to Further objects ofthe invention will apbe tripped for efi'ectingswitching operations.

tion to another,say from open to closed posi'tion, against the force ofthe bias. Upon subsequent tripping of the'other mecha-iv nisin the biasbecomes effective to return the switch to open position. One or bothmechanisms may be reset bymotor or manual means effective after twoswitching opera-' tions'have been effected, the resetting means alsoserving to restore the single spring to stressed condition. I v

The generalmanne'r in which the device of this invention is employed hasbeen illustrated'in Fig. 10, in which I have shown an electrical switchll of conventional constructionwhich is operated bymeans of a device 12constructed in accordancewith this invention. WVhile a variety ofelectrical switches may be employed, it may be explained that theparticular switch shown is adapted'to control polyphase' lines and ismade up of a plurality of units 1, 2 and 3, each of which isprovided'with a movable contact 13 adapted to cooperate with a pair ofrelativelystm tionary contacts 14. VVhcn the switch is used for heavycurrents these contacts are generally in'nnersed in oil as shown.adapted'to be raised to closed and dropped to open position by somesuitable actuat-j in member such as a rod 16. F or example I have sh'owna construction in which the movable contacts 13 are carried by rods 17which are vertically. slidable and are con-' nected to rod 16 thru'asuitable motion transmission li'nkage 18. The movable contacts arebiased as by means of gravity toward open position, and for providing anadded force foretlecting separation of the contacts,

I preferablyutilize a spring 19 mounted upon rods 17'and which isadapted to be compressed when the contacts 13 and 1 1 are closed. IWVith this arrangem nt force must be applied to red 16 to simultaneouslymove the switch to closed position, but when rod 16 is released,the'switches are automatically returned to open position because oi theabove mentioned bias. Adjacent one end of the switch 11, I have shown abell crank 21 or other suitable member which is pivotally mounted as at22 and which is connected to rod.16 as by means of link 23. Bell crank21 is controlled by the operator 12 to effect reciprocation ofactuating'rod 16.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 1 inclusive,

the moving parts of the operator are preferably enclosed in a suitablehousing 26. The apparatus for effecting movement of the bell crank 21includes two mechanisms indicated Contacts 13 are.

generally at 27 and 28, which are adapted to be tripped for effectingsuccessive switch operations. These mechanisms maybe conveniently formedas collapsibletoggles and I have therefore shown mechanism 27 as comprising lmks 29 and 31 which are connected together as by means of pivotpin 32. Link 29 is pivotally mountedto the casing 26 as by means of pin33, while link 31 is pivotally seouredfto anarin of the crank 21 as bymeans of pin 34. By means of abutting shoulders 36, toggle 27 maybemaintained extended but i slightly past dead center position when aforce is exerted upon pivot pin 34in the direction of pin 33; Link 29'ispreferably biased so as to tend to straighten the'toggle 27, as by meansof a spring 37, one end of this spring hearing upon the link=29 and theother end bearing, upon the relatively stationary member 38. A finger 39is also disposed upon shaft 33 and is fixed with respect to link .29. Asolenoid or other magnetic device 41 is adapted I to engage this finger39 and rotate link ,29 in a counter clockwise direction, thus effectingbreaking of the toggle 21.

To e'mechanism 28 is likewise made up 7 an: of a pair of links 42, and13 PIVOtflllY'COD- nected together as by means of pin 44. Link 12 1s1ournal-ed w th respect to casing 26 as by means of shaft 16, while link13' is pivot-Z ally connected to an arm 47 as by means of r .a pinand-slot connection 48. Toggle28 is f also adapted to be broken bysuitable means such as a solenoid .49 which is arranged to engage afinger 51, this finger being disposed upon shaft' lG and fixed withrespect to link As has been-previously mentioned, .I utillZQ a singlespring which is adapted to be placed under stress during aresettingoperation, and this spring is preferably cooperativelyassociated with mechanisms 27 and 28 sothat both of these mechanismscarry a por-. tion of the force of the spring when in locked orextendedposition. The spring and associated linkage for correlating thesame with mechanisms 27 and 28 is as follows: Arm {17 is journaled withrespect to casing 26 as by means. of shaft 53, and fixed with respect tothis arm, there is another arm 54'. Int-en posed between arm 54 andcrank 21 there is a linkage consisting of links '56 and 57 which arepivotally connected together as by means of pin 58, while link 56 ispivotally connected to crank 21 as by means of pin 59 and link 57ispivotally connected to arm 54 as by means of pin 61. Associated withlinks 56'and 57 in a manner to apply a force to pin 58, thereis a rod 62or other suitable. force I apply ng 7 member. a I b For applying a forceto rod 62 I preferably utilize single compression spring 63, and;

this spring is preferably disposed upon a suitable supportmg sleeve 64within wh ch the rod 62 is sli dably, disposed,- As shown in detailin'Fig. 7 the upper end of sleeve 64 is provided with a cllar'66 orother suitable means forming an abutment for the upper end of spring.68, while the lower end of the spring is adapted to seat upon a member67 secured to the lower end of rod 62. The lower portion ofsleeve 64 ispreferably slotted as indicated at 68 so as to permit relative slidingmovement between rod 62 and sleeve 64.: A block 69 is secured to thelower end of sleeve 64, and journaled with respect to this block thereis a crank pin 71, this crank pin -has been indicated .at- 74 and ispreferably connected to the crank shaft 73 thru a suitable speedreduction drive. Such a drive connection may consist of a worm 76 fixedupon shaft 77 and whichis driven directly by motor 74. Worm 76 drives aworm gear 78 which is fixed upon a shaft 79, and also mounted upon shaft79 there is another worm 81 adapted to drive a worm gear 82 mounted uponthe crank shaft 7 3 Since I have designed the device of this inventionso that the motor 74 is automatiopening and closing of the contacts.

cally energized to reset the tripping mechanisms and for reconditioningthe spring 68,

I preferably provide suitable switches which 40 casing there is a switch84'provided with contacts necessaryfor controlling the external circuit,and which is provided with the usual movable member 86 for COntIOlllXg sshown in detail in Fig. 6, switch 84 may be mounted upon a suitablebracket 87 fixed with respect to one wall of housing 26, and movablemember 86 is cooperatively associated with a rod 88. Rod 88 is slidablyretained with respect to the housing, as by means of brackets 89 and 91slidably engaging the ends thereof. Fixed to the rod 88 there is an arm92 having connection with a switch member 86, and disposed about rod 88there is a compression spring 93. The low or end of compression spring98 is adapted to seat against a suitable member fixed with respect torod 88, such as an arm 92 while the upper endvis adapted to pressagainst a "collar or other member 96 which is slidably disposed upon'rod88. Collar 96 is adapted to be engaged by one side of an arm 97, whilethe other side of this arm is adapted to engage a collar 98 fixed withrespect to rod88; Arm 97 is carried upon shaft 53 and is rotatabletogether with arms 54 and 47.

Rod 88 is associated with suitable means for retaining the same in itsupper or raised position during a resetting operation of crank 72 andfor releasing this rod to permit the same to move to its lower positionunder the force of spring 93 at the end of a resetting operation.To'provide such means I have shown a bell crank 100 having arms 101 and102 and which is suitably journaled as by means of pin 103, this shaftbeing carried by a convenient bracket 104, (see Fig. 4). Arm 102 of thisbell crank is connected to suitable biasing means such as a tensionspring 105, whereby the crank is urged to rotate in acounterclockwise.direction. The other arm carries a finger 106 adaptedto engage and cooperate with the ext-ended lower end 107 of rod 88'.Rotation of crank 101 in a counterclockwise direction is limited as bymeans of a stop pin 108, so that when this bell crank is permitted torotate in a counterclockwise direction, finger 106 will be arresteddirectly below the extension 107. This position of the bell crank isclearly shown in Fig. 5. Also carried by pin 103 and journaled to thesame there is a small lever 109 and this lever has secured theretoand'carries projecting pin 111. Pin 111 is adapted to be engaged andtripped by pin 112, this latter. pin being carried by the crank pin 71.Lever 109 is operably connected to the arm 102 by means of a pin113.which is i fixed to and projects. from arm 102 and which engages ina slot 114 provided in the end of lever 109. The cooperative arrangementbetween lever 109 and the bell crank 100 is such that when pin 111' istripped by rotation of crank 72,- rotation of lever 109 carries with itbell crank 100 and thus moves the bell crank out of engagement with thelower end of rod 88. c

In Fig. 2 I have shown another switch 116 which may be disposed withinthe housing 26, and this switch may be controlled directly by movementsof the bell crank 21. For example I have shown this switch as directlyconnected to the bell crank as by means of a link 117.

The operation of the device may be best explained by referring toFigures 12 to 15 inclusive. Fig. 12 shows the principal parts of themechanism with the spring 63 in stressed condition and the togglemechanisms 27 and 28 extended. \Vhen in this condition pivot pin 58 isconsiderably above pivot pins 59 and 61 so that the force of spring 63tends to move pins 59 and 61 apart. The force exerted upon pivot pin 59tends to m tate crank 21 in a clockwise direction, but

such rotation is prevented by the toggle 27.

Likewise the force upon pivot pin 61 tends.

' to rotate arms 54 and 47 but such rotation is prevented by the togglemechanism 28.

'JAssuming that the switch is now in open position,if itis desired toclose the switch, toggle 27 is broken either manually or by electricalcurrent applied to solenoid 41. As a result crank 21 is rotated in aclockwise direction and assumes the position shown in Fig. 13, while rod62 moves downwardly under the force of spring 63 to straighten out thelinks 56 and 57 To open the switch after a closing operation, toggle 28is broken either inanuallyor by electrical current applied to solenoid,49, thus permitting arms 54 and 47 to rotate in a clockwisedirection andconsequently permitting bell crank .21 to rotate back in acounterclockwise direction under fthenormal switch bias. The completeopen position is shown in Fig. 14. When moving from closed to openposition, it is to be noted that no force is applied to spring 63 andtherefore this spring does not interfere with such movements.Furthermore the pivotal mounting of the lower end of sleeve 64 upon thecrank 72 permits the upper end of rod 62 togetherwith spring 63 to swingbodily from the'position shown in Fig. 13 to that shown in Fig. 14 whenthe switch is open.

7 After the operator has again opened the switch and is in the positionshown in Fig. 14, I preferably energize the motor 74, eitherautomatically or otherwise-in order to effect a resetting operation.Before energizing the motor the crank 72. will occupyits lowest positionshown in Figs. 12 to 14 inclusive. Upon energization of the motor crank72 is rotated slowly in a counterclockwise direc- 9 tion and upon itsupward movement lifts rod 62'to etlect resetting 01" both toggles 27 and28 providing toggle 27 has not already been reset'during the precedingswitch operation. During subsequent downward movement of 5 crank 72, rod62 will be retainedin raised position by virtue of the set toggles 27and 28, so that spring 63 is compressed. The motor is preferablydeenergized when one revolution ofcrank 72 has been completed and thisfunction maybe accomplished autoinatically by controlling the circuit ofmotor 74irom switch 84.

.VV hen the apparatus is in the position illust-rated in Figs. 12 and 13it is to be noted "that the switch actuating rod 88 is in its lowerposition due to the position assumed a by arms 54 and 47. lVhen theposition shown in Fig. 14 is assumed, rotation of arms 54 and 47 hit rod88 and permit the finger 108 40 move'directly beneath the lower end or"the same. heretore when the crank '7 2 is rotated to effect a resettingoperation, rotation of arms 54 and 47 to their original posi tion asillustrated in Fig. 15, merely com- ---presses spring 93 while the rod88 is retained and L and are controlled respectively by in its upper,position by finger 106. When rod 88 is inits upper position switch 84 isin a position to permit'closing of the energizing circuit to the motor,so'that the motor is automatically energized to eliect a resettingoperation when the apparatus assumes the position shown in Fig. 14. Dueto the fact that rod 88 remains in its upper position while crank 72 isbeing rotated, the motor remains energized until the completion ofone-revolution of crank72. 'Atthe end of the last half revolution ofcrank 72, pin 112 ens-a es and tri s in 111 thus causin fin er 106 tomove out of engagement with the lower end of rod 88. Thus rod 88 ispermitted to quickly return to its lower position toactuate switch 84and thus deenergize the niotorcircuit.

Figure 16 is a circuit diagram illustrating 71161118111181 in whichswitches 84 and 116 are I connected to effect automatic resetting andwinding operations- Switch 84 is preferably provided with three's-ets ofcontacts a, b and c, and is adapted to close contacts a and 6 whilecontacts 0 are open,and close contacts 0 when contacts a and b are open.Q Switch 116 is preferably provided with'tour, sets of contacts a, f, gand h and is adapted to eiiect closing of contacts 0 and f whilecontacts 9 and h are open, and'toclose con-- tacts g and h'whilecontacts e and f are open. Solenoids 41' and 49 are adaptedto beenergized from a suitable sourceor" current such as represented bycurrent supply lines L switches 121 and 122. The motor 4 is two adaptedto'be energized from arsuitable source of current such as the lines Land L and its circuit includes certain of thecontacts of switch 84 and116 as shown. Green and red signal lights G and R are also associatedwith the arrangement so as to give a light in dication of openandjclosed positions of the 121, solenoid 41, contacts 6 and back toline L thru contact 0 of switch 84. Energizing of solenoid 41immediately breaks toggle '27 and thus causes closing of the main switchin a manner which I have previously'explained. 1 Closing of this mainswitch brings the operator tothe position shown in Fig.

13, and causes switch 116 to be actuated to open contacts 6 and f andclose contacts g and h. Switch'84'however remains in the same position.To openthe main switch, switch 122 is closed to complete a circuit whichmay be traced from line L thru switch 122, solenoid 49, contacts 9, andback.

close contacts a and b and open contact a,

and switch 116 has been actuated to close contacts e and f and opencontacts 9 and h. An energizing circuit for motor 74 is thus completedfrom lines L and L thru contacts a and b, The motor then operates toeffect a complete revolution of crank 72, during the first half of whichthe toggle 28 is reset and during the last half of which the spring 63is retensioned. I At the completion of one revolution of crank 72 switch84 is again actuatedin a manner which has been previously described, toclose contact 0 and open contacts sand I), thus de-energizing the motorand preventing further rotation of crank 72. The operator is now inposition to effect two more switching operations before a resettingoperation is necessary. As long as the switch is closed, the red lightRis illuminated, while when the switch is open thegreen light G isilluminated. The circuit for lamp R may be traced from line L thrucontact h and back thru line L so that as long as contacts 9 and 72, areclosed, lamp R will be illuminated. The circuit for lamp Gr may betraced from line L, thru contacts f and back thru line L, so that aslong as contacts 6 and f are closed, lamp G will be illuminated.

I claim r 1. In a switch operator, two mechanisms adapted to be trippedfor controlling switch operations, means biasing said switch toward oneof two. positions, linkage means interconnecting both said mechanisms,spring means adapted to apply opposed forces to two points, one of saidpoints being located on said linkage means and movable for operations ofsaid switch to either of said positions, the other of said points beingrelatively fixed, and means cooperably associating said mechanisms andsaid linkage means with said switch for effecting the other one of saidswitching operations in response to tripping of one of said mechanisms,said stationary point of spring application being positioned so thatsaid bias may move the switch to said one position without affecting thecondition of said spring.

' 2. In a switch operator, a single spring, twotripable mechanisms forconjointly retalning said spring in tensioned condition, means foreffecting two switch operations upon separate tripping of saidmechanisms, and means for first resetting both of said mechanisms intotripping position and for then restoring said spring to stressedcondition after the second switch operation.

3. In a switch operator for effecting at least two switching operations,a spring means 'for effecting at least one of said switch operations,support means for said spring means, linkage means .formaintaining saidspring means in stressed condition, said spring means being adapted toapply its force to a fixed and a movable point of application, theposition of said movable point of application shifting with respect tosaid support for each switch operation.

4-. In a switch operator for effecting the j operations of a switchbiased to open position independently. of said operator, amovable memberconnecting said switch and said operator, spring means effective tomovesaid memberin one direction to causeone of the two operations ofsaid switch, means comprising a pair of mechanisms for conjointlymaintaining said spring means in stressed condition and for renderingthe same ineffective to cause a switch. operation, said spring meanscausing said one switching operation upon the tripping of one of saidmechanisms, and means. for permitting free return movement of saidmember for per forming said other switching operation.

5. In a switch operator, a pair of mechanisms adapted to be tripped,linkage mechanism interconnecting said mechanisms, an ac+ tuating rodconnected to said linkage mecha nism and to a normally fixed point, anda spring in stressed condition cooperatively positioned on said rod andapplying itsforce to the points of connection of said rod.

6. In a switch operator, a pair of toggle mechanisms adapted to betripped successively to effect at least two switch operations, means forresetting said mechanisms when tripped, said means being operative onlyupon a succession of operations of said toggle mechanisms, meansconnecting said resetting means and said toggle mechanisms, and

a spring positioned on said connecting means and adapted to be restoredto stressed condition by said resetting means after successive switchoperations.

7. In a switch operator, spring means for supplying power for switchingoperations, two tripable mechanisms for effecting control of said springmeans, and resetting means efiective first to reset said mechanisms andthen to retension said spring means.

8,. In a switch operator, toggle mechanisms adapted to be tripped toeffect at least two switch operations, and a spring in stressedcondition co-operatively associated therewith having two points ofapplication, one of said points being relatively fixed during saidswitch operations, the other of said points of application being movableduring both of said switch operations.

9. In a switch operator, toggle mechanisms adapted to be tripped toefiect at least two switch operations, means for resetting said togglemechanisms when tripped, and spring means for biasing said mechanisms toset position, said spring means being positioned between a point capableof only radial movement and a, point on said mechanisms laterallymovable for both of said switch opera- 5 tions. I r

10. In a switch operator, toggle mechanisms adapted to be tripped toeflfect at least two switch operations, toggle linkageinterconnectingsaid mechanism, and a spring cooperatively associatedwithsaid linkageand' having a point of application thereon, said point ofapplication being movable for both of said switch operations.

11. In a switch operator,toggle mecha- 15 nisms adapted to be tripped toeffect at least two switch operations, linkage interconnecting saidtoggle mechanisms, a crank mem-' her, a spring having a pointofapplication on said crank member and a point of applica- 1 2 tion onsaid linkage, saidpoint on the linkage being movable for both ojc'saidswitch opera- 'lZlOIlS.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand. 3 JAMES C. REA.

